Many people have been complaining that the educational system in the United States is failing. Yet whether you consider something to be a success or a failure depends on your point of view. After all, a basketball game is a success if your team wins and a failure if it loses. If you want the educational system to keep the majority of the voters not only ignorant but completely unashamed of their ignorance, maybe the system is succeeding beyond your wildest dreams.
When you watch the following footage, note how completely unashamed the interviewees are about their ignorance. Some of them actually think that it’s cute:
Below is a documentary that explains some of the history and sociology of stupidity in more detail. Bill Maher’s quip at the beginning sets the tone: “No one encourages anyone to get intelligent. You know, it’s just not ‘cool.’ ”